Battery pack assembly

Abstract

A battery pack assembly is provided for supplying electrical power to an electronic device, such as an electronic receiver of an animal confinement system. The battery pack assembly is removably insertable within a receptacle of the electronic receiver to electrically connect a battery contained within the battery pack assembly to internal electronics of the electronic receiver.

1. A battery pack assembly configured to be removably insertable into a receptacle of an electronic device, comprising:
 a battery housing having an open end and a generally closed opposite end having an opening therethrough, the battery housing being configured to receive a battery having a pair of opposite terminals therein through the open end; 
 a first contact member mounted within the housing and configured to electrically contact one terminal of the battery and provide electrical contact with the one terminal of the battery from outside the battery housing; 
 a flexible second contact member comprising a spring member mounted within the housing and being exposed through the opening, the second contact member being configured to electrically contact the opposite terminal of the battery and provide electrical contact with the opposite terminal of the battery from outside the battery housing, the second contact member further being configured to bias the one terminal of the battery into electrical contact with the first contact member; and 
 a cap member configured to cover the open end of the battery housing. 
 
   
   
     2. The battery pack assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first and second contact members are configured to provide electrical contact with the respective pair of opposite terminals from outside the battery housing at a location adjacent the same end of the battery housing. 
   
   
     3. The battery pack assembly of  claim 2  wherein the first and second contact members are configured to provide electrical contact with the respective pair of opposite terminals from outside the battery housing at a location adjacent the closed end of the battery housing. 
   
   
     4. The battery pack assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first contact member comprises:
 a first portion configured to extend generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the battery housing and electrically contact the one terminal of the battery; and 
 a second portion configured to extend from the first portion in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis the battery housing. 
 
   
   
     5. The battery pack assembly of  claim 4  wherein the second portion is configured to extend outwardly of the battery housing. 
   
   
     6. The battery pack assembly of  claim 5  wherein the second portion is configured to extend outwardly of the battery housing at a location adjacent the closed end of the battery housing. 
   
   
     7. The battery pack assembly of  claim 4  wherein the second portion is generally V-shaped in cross section. 
   
   
     8. The battery pack assembly of  claim 4  wherein the battery housing has an internal groove that extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the battery housing. 
   
   
     9. The battery pack assembly of  claim 8  wherein the second portion is at least partially located within the groove. 
   
   
     10. The battery pack assembly of  claim 4  wherein the second portion is arcuate in cross section. 
   
   
     11. The battery pack assembly of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a spring seat formed in the closed end of the battery housing; and 
 wherein the spring member is located within the spring seat. 
 
   
   
     12. The battery pack assembly of  claim 11  wherein the spring member is exposed at the closed end of the battery housing. 
   
   
     13. The battery pack assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a sealing ring disposed about the battery housing at a location adjacent the open end of the battery housing. 
   
   
     14. The battery pack assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a lug member extending outwardly from the battery housing in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the battery housing. 
   
   
     15. The battery pack assembly of  claim 14  wherein the lug member is provided at a location adjacent the closed end of the battery housing. 
   
   
     16. The battery pack member of  claim 4  further comprising a boss member projecting inwardly from the cap member and in contact with the first portion of the first contact member. 
   
   
     17. The battery pack assembly of  claim 1  wherein the cap member is affixed to the battery housing adjacent the open end. 
   
   
     18. The battery pack assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a battery located within the battery housing. 
   
   
     19. A battery pack assembly configured to be removably insertable into a receptacle of an electronic device, comprising:
 a battery housing having an open end and a generally closed opposite end, the battery housing being configured to receive a battery having a pair of opposite terminals therein through the open end; 
 a first contact member mounted within the housing and configured to electrically contact one terminal of the battery and being exposed adjacent one end of the battery housing; 
 a flexible second contact member comprising a spring member mounted within the housing configured to electrically contact the opposite terminal of the battery and being exposed through an opening at the one end of the battery housing, the second contact member further being configured to bias the one terminal of the battery into electrical contact with the first contact member; and 
 a cap member configured to cover the open end of the battery housing. 
 
   
   
     20. The battery pack assembly of  claim 19  wherein the first and second contact members are exposed at a location adjacent the closed end of the battery housing. 
   
   
     21. The battery pack assembly of  claim 19  wherein the first contact member comprises:
 a first portion configured to extend generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the battery housing and electrically contact the one terminal of the battery; and 
 a second portion configured to extend from the first portion in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis the battery housing. 
 
   
   
     22. The battery pack assembly of  claim 19  further comprising:
 a spring seat formed in the closed end of the battery housing; and 
 wherein the spring member is located within the spring seat. 
 
   
   
     23. The battery pack assembly of  claim 22  wherein the spring member is exposed at the closed end of the battery housing. 
   
   
     24. The battery pack assembly of  claim 19  wherein the cap member is affixed to the battery housing adjacent the open end. 
   
   
     25. The battery pack assembly of  claim 19  further comprising a battery located within the battery housing. 
   
   
     26. A battery pack assembly configured to be removably insertable into a receptacle of an electronic device, comprising:
 a battery housing having an open end and a generally closed opposite end having an opening therethrough, the battery housing being configured to receive a battery having a pair of opposite terminals therein through the open end; 
 a first contact member mounted within the housing and configured to electrically contact one terminal of the battery adjacent the open end of the battery housing and extend outwardly from the battery housing adjacent the closed end; 
 a flexible second contact member comprising a spring member mounted within the housing and being exposed through the opening, the second contact member being configured to electrically contact the opposite terminal of the battery adjacent the closed end of the battery housing and bias the battery toward the open end; and 
 a cap member configured to cover the open end of the battery housing. 
 
   
   
     27. The battery pack assembly of  claim 26  wherein the first and second contact members are configured to provide electrical contact with the respective pair of opposite terminals from outside the battery housing at a location adjacent the closed end of the battery housing. 
   
   
     28. The battery pack assembly of  claim 26  wherein the first contact member comprises:
 a first portion configured to extend perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the battery housing and electrically contact the one terminal of the battery; and 
 a second portion configured to extend from the first portion in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis the battery housing. 
 
   
   
     29. The battery pack assembly of  claim 26  further comprising:
 a spring seat formed in the closed end of the battery housing; and 
 wherein the spring member is located within the spring seat. 
 
   
   
     30. The battery pack assembly of  claim 29  wherein the spring member is exposed at the closed end of the battery housing. 
   
   
     31. The battery pack assembly of  claim 26  wherein the cap member is affixed to the battery housing adjacent the open end. 
   
   
     32. The battery pack assembly of  claim 26  further comprising a battery located within the battery housing. 
   
   
     33. A battery pack assembly configured to be removably insertable into a receptacle of an electronic device, comprising:
 a battery housing having an open end and a generally closed opposite end having an opening therethrough, the battery housing being configured to receive a battery having a pair of opposite terminals therein through the open end; 
 a first contact member mounted within the housing and configured to electrically contact one terminal of the battery adjacent the open end of the battery housing and being exposed adjacent the closed end; 
 a flexible second contact member comprising a spring member mounted within the housing and being exposed through the opening, the second contact member being configured to electrically contact the opposite terminal of the battery adjacent the closed end of the battery housing, the second contact member further being configured to bias the battery toward the open end; and 
 a cap member configured to cover the open end of the battery housing. 
 
   
   
     34. The battery pack assembly of  claim 33  wherein the first contact member comprises:
 a first portion configured to extend generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the battery housing and electrically contact the one terminal of the battery; and 
 a second portion configured to extend from the first portion in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis the battery housing. 
 
   
   
     35. The battery pack assembly of  claim 33  further comprising:
 a spring seat formed in the closed end of the battery housing; and 
 wherein the spring member is located within the spring seat. 
 
   
   
     36. The battery pack assembly of  claim 33  wherein the cap member is affixed to the battery housing adjacent the open end. 
   
   
     37. The battery pack assembly of  claim 33  further comprising a battery located within the battery housing.